MINNEAPOLIS — Safety Eric Reid, who took a knee with Colin Kaepernick during last season’s national anthem protests, resumed that position before the 49ers exhibition Sunday night against the host Vikings.

Reid nor any other 49ers knelt during the previous two exhibitions.

Although Kaepernick is no longer on the 49ers, Reid maintains frequent contact with him, and he tipped off his former teammate about his plan to again protest, sparked by this month’s incidents in Charlottesville, Virginia.
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Reid knelt in the middle of the 49ers sideline while the rest of his teammates stood during Sunday’s anthem. Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin stood and placed his hand on Reid’s right shoulder, as did a couple other teammates, one of which was believed to be Eli Harold, who knelt last season with Reid and Kaepernick.

“I feel I needed to regain control of that narrative and not let people say that what we’re doing is un-American, because it’s not. It’s completely American,” Reid said after Sunday’s 32-31 loss. “We’re doing it because we want equality for everybody. We want our country to be a better place. So that’s why I decided to resume the protest.” (Complete transcript below)

Reid plans to continue protesting throughout the season and he believes he has the 49ers ownership’s support based on last season’s approval.

“He didn’t tell me but he told our PR staff so I was aware of it,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “I’ve got no issue. Everyone is able to come out and do what they want to do.”

Said Goodwin: “It’s no secret. Just all the things that are going on in America, especially being African American. It’s just hard. When you have someone who chooses to go and take a knee, that’s just his right. As a friend, as a brother, and as a teammate, I wouldn’t want him to go through anything like that alone. I had to go support him and let everybody else know that I do support him.”

Reid, a fifth-year veteran, started at strong safety on Sunday night and combined on a sack with Arik Armstead on the second defensive series, although Armstead officially got credited with a full sack.

Reid followed up a fierce, third-down tackle by kissing his right biceps — a practice known as “Kaepernicking” when the former 49ers quarterback used to celebrate touchdown runs.

Both 49ers general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan said earlier this month that no players had approached them about possibly protesting, and both said they understood the intentions of such protests. Lynch caught flack for initially saying that protests are “divisive,” and he came out later saying he regretted using that word and emphasizing he respects and understands protestors’ motives.

Players on other NFL teams have protested this exhibition season, including the Raiders’ Marshawn Lynch and Seattle Seahawks Michael Bennett.
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A year ago, Kaepernick launched a nation-wide movement by quietly sitting out the anthem the first three exhibitions before eventually kneeling through it with Reid and Eli Harold through the regular season.

Kaepernick hasn’t latched onto a new team since cutting ties with the 49ers in March, opting out of his contract before an anticipated release.

Here is Reid’s post-game transcript:

ERIC REID

Q: Why did you decide to resume your protest?

A: “Just had a change of heart. A lot of thinking. A lot of praying. Talking to Colin.

“When we started last year, if you recall, we said our goal was to raise awareness and shed light on the issues that were happening in our country. I think we accomplished that goal.

“What I was upset about was the false narrative that was being told about us, people saying that we’re un-American, that we’re against police entirely and the military. That just wasn’t true. At first I thought that was a small sacrifice to pay to get the word out and raise awareness. I settled thinking raising that awareness was victory.

“Then fast forward to Charlottesville and the country sees what an un-American protest really looks like. That’s when I had my change of heart.”

“What Colin, Eli and I did was a peaceful protest fueled by faith in God to help make our country a better place. I feel I needed to regain control of that narrative and not let people say that what we’re doing is un-American, because it’s not. It’s completely American. We’re doing it because we want equality for everybody. We want our country to be a better place. So that’s why I decided to resume the protest.”

Q: Do other teammates want to join you?

A: “A lot of guys wanted to show support, and a lot of guys were standing with me, putting their hand on my shoulder, and it means a lot. The anthem means a lot of things to different people. Some guys don’t feel comfortable kneeling, even though I’ve said a million times it’s not about being against the military. If that’s how they feel, that’s fine. I would never pressure anybody to take a knee. That’s just my way of doing it. It means a lot they want to show support they want to stand with me.”

Q: Did you tell Kaepernick you were going to protest again?

A: “Yeah, I talked to Colin a couple times. We stay in touch.”

Q: Will you protest throughout the season?

“I do plan on that, yes.”

Q: You talked to the 49ers PR staff but not the coach. What plans do you have in talking to the organization about it?

A: “Well I had a talk with Jed (York, the 49ers CEO) last year and he told me how he felt about the situation, that he believes it’s my right to do so and he wasn’t going to say anything to make me feel I need to stop doing it. I think that’s awesome that he just has a good heart and allows me to do it.”

Q: On Marquise Goodwin’s support because he traveled to Africa this offseason with Kaepenrick?

A: “I think so. That trip they took to Africa, Marquise has told me it was very impactful for him. It is hard to describe the feeling being African American and take a trip to Africa the first time. My wife was born in South Africa and I remember when I went there the first time the feeling I felt, it felt like home and it felt good to be there. I can’t speak for him but I can imagine that trip helped him with that decision today.”

Q: On others in the league protesting?

A: “It’s kind of validation in the sense that people see what we were talking about last year is real. I don’t think anybody doubted it was real. But it means more people want to be involved and speak up about the issues we have in our country.”

Q: On being in a contract year and thinking whether other teams may not support him?

“I have. This has been fueled by my faith in God. That’s the only reason I do it. You can’t serve God and money. If I’m not on the team next year, I’ll be at home unhappy I’m not on the team, but I’ll be satisfied knowing I did what was I feel was right, and that’s being a voice for the voiceless and standing up for the oppressed.”

Q: On kissing his biceps in “Kaepernicking” fashion after making a tackle?

A: “I did it last week and I don’t think anybody noticed. It’s just a shout-out to my brother. I miss him and hopefully I’ll see him on the field someday.”

Q: On who had their hand on his back during the anthem beside Marquise Goodwin and Eli harold?

A: “I think Dontae (Johnson)…I’d have to look at a picture. But I do feel there were a bunch of ppeople supporting me, so it felt good.”